The FReeper Foxhole Remembers the Alamo (1718 - 2005) - May 2nd, 2005

Wild West Magazine | February 1996

[snippy_about_it]

Don't let this happen to you on a Monday :-)

LOL. Okay, I've lost my appetite for breakfast. This could help me lose weight. ;-)

[snippy_about_it]

Good morning feather.

[snippy_about_it]

Wow. Great story, I would have loved to see the show.

[snippy_about_it]

1878 US stops minting 20¢ coin

Thomas Jefferson suggested a twenty-cent coin in his currency plan. But Congress didn't include that denomination in the Act that established the United States Mint and its coin denominations in 1792. Congress favored a 25-cent coin equal to two reales, which was one quarter of a Spanish dollar.

We used to use foreign coins like the Spanish dollar because the Mint didn't have enough gold, silver, and copper to make all the American coins we needed. One of those other coins was the Spanish "pistareen," worth a fifth of a dollar or 20 cents. So, in a way, there already was a 20-cent coin that Americans used. It just wasn't an American coin.

Long about the mid-1800s, we started having enough American coins in circulation that we didn't need to use foreign coins anymore. It was time to make our own 20-cent coin. So why didn't it last?

Well, the new coin had the same designs on it as the other coins of the day. Since its size was close to the quarter's size,.people often got the two coins mixed up. So in May of 1878, a bill was passed that put the 20-cent piece to rest. Most of the last ones made were melted down by the Mint.

The Mint only made circulating versions of this coin for two years (1875 and 1876). For the other two years, the only kind minted were proof issues, which don't circulate.


Obverse: The image of Lady Liberty sitting on a rock is one of the longest-running designs in American coin history. This Christian Gobrecht design was used on coins from half dimes through dollars for 55 years (1837 through 1891).


REVERSE: Like the eagle on our modern quarter, the eagle on the back of this coin is holding arrows and an olive branch, symbols of war and peace.

[snippy_about_it]

Thank you and Good morning Mayor.

[snippy_about_it]

Hitting the floor running this morning.

I right behind you!

[The Mayor]

Your very welcome Snippy.

How's the weather in Oregon?

[Wneighbor]

Morning P.E. :-)

That is an interesting Flag-o-Gram this morning!

Where's the tattoo? :-D

[Wneighbor]

The siege of the Alamo ended on the dawn of March 6, when its gallant defenders were put to the sword. But it was not an idle sacrifice that men like Travis and Davy Crockett and James Bowie made at the Alamo. It was a sacrifice on the altar of liberty.

Ya'll know, this is the reason you don't find too many Texans without a big-headed amount of pride in the place. The knowledge of that sacrifice pervades all of us for some unexplainable reason. We just can't get away from it.

I've got friends here in town that moved down from Montana. It bugs the dickens out of them how Texans are so proud of the place. They're always fussing at me "now see, this is why Texans drive us crazy." No amount of explaining can get through to them that it's part of history. They're nice folks - but I'm thinkin' they just need to go to another state. We prolly ain't gonna change this century.

[stand watie]

REMEMBER THE ALAMO. REMEMBER GOLIAD.

free dixie,sw

[Wneighbor]

It would have made a good history lesson to the folks without a clue.

Tell ya'll what, if you ever get down here I'd love to give anybody the hometown tour of San Antonio. I've lived there and love that city better than anybody ought to love a "city." (Ya know I'm a country gal.)

It's moving, tear-inducing and awe-inspiring to step inside the Alamo itself. The price of freedom there is tangible to me. As many times as I've been I've never failed to "feel it."

But, the other missions at San Antonio are just as fun to visit for anybody that likes history. San Jose is great because it's still in use as a church. Was over there one afternoon just walking around the garden (it's gorgeous in spring) and there was a beautiful traditional Mexican wedding. It felt like stepping back 100 years. Amazing.

My favorite place to visit in San Antonio is the old Spanish aquaduct built crossing a ravine near the mission de la Espada. I *wish* I didn't have my pictures all packed up to move cause I'd scan one if for ya. There's still water in that aquaduct much like the old Roman aquaducts - but maybe not as grand or old.

I could go on... Spanish Governor's Mansion, Lone Star Brewery (but they moved to New York - ick) O'Henry house, places of historic value related to Teddy Roosevelt and his rough riders. Gees, I love that city. :-)

[Valin]

Oh Oh! I MAY have learned something. gulp

[GailA]

Mid 60's here with sun and light northerly wind, which makes it cool for us. You need a thin long sleeve shirt at the least.

[Wneighbor]

This is just wrong:

[snippy_about_it]

I've been trying to talk Sam into going to Texas. I know there are some "Gift Mart" venues down there and we could come down on a business trip. We'd have to close the store though and that's the problem. Maybe for a long Oregon winter weekend.

[snippy_about_it]

I MAY have learned something.

Hope you had room for it. I know my brain is getting a little crowded with info.

[alfa6]

;-)

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

[snippy_about_it]

!!!!!

[snippy_about_it]

Cloudy and 59. Suppose to hit 65. :-)

[Wneighbor]

We'd have to close the store though and that's the problem. Maybe for a long Oregon winter weekend.

Hey, by then I ought to have a new place to live --- SOUTH of the insane weather!!! :-)